RI lawmaker faces backlash over calling ICE agents ‘Nazi Gestapo thugs’

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Rhode Island state representative is facing bipartisan backlash and making national headlines after he condemned federal immigration officials in a string of social media posts.

State Rep. Enrique Sanchez described a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest in Providence as the “kidnapping of a Providence neighbor” by “Nazi Gestapo ICE thugs.”

“They think they are above the law. I strongly condemn this act of terror and will be demanding answers and seeking action tomorrow,” Sanchez wrote on X. “I am tired of this s***. Providence doesn’t want ICE thugs in our city.”

His comments have drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans locally, and been spotlighted by national media outlets like Fox News and NewsNation.

Fox News described Sanchez’s language in an X post as “heinous” and an “insult” to which Sanchez replied: “Fox News has nothing better to report on. These people are ridiculous. Gente ridicula.”

In subsequent posts, Sanchez defended his words.

“They’re used to calling and labeling poor and working class black, brown and white people ‘thugs’ and pretend like its not downgrading,” he wrote. “but……. when we call them that, they get so offended and all hell breaks loose. Deal with it.”

He also stood his ground, brushing off the criticism.

“I don’t ask for the back lash, the heat or the attention, I really don’t,” he added. “I just care about people and have a passion for helping others when I can and in my capacity. I don’t benefit personally nor do I care about that. I just give a s***. I truly do.”

Sanchez also responded to an ICE social media post that read, “The only word our ICE officers should be called is ‘heroes,’” writing: “When Fox News and ICE won’t stop talking about you lol. Cuando Fox News e ICE no dejen de hablar de ti, jaja.”

Additionally, Sanchez announced he plans to introduce legislation that would make it illegal for Rhode Island cities, towns, and police to “cooperate in any way or form with Nazi Gestapo ICE officials.”

On Friday, Sanchez again reiterated his position, calling it “sad and disappointing” to see Gov. Dan McKee and other Rhode Island Democrats defend federal immigration agents.

“The people of our state don’t want these thugs in our state,” Sanchez wrote, urging them to “rescind their statements.”

Sanchez had not responded to a request for comment from 12 News as of midday Friday.

Further criticism

A Rhode Island federal judge ruled in 2014 that ICE detainers violate civil rights, and since then the state has required a judicial deportation or removal order – not just an ICE detainer – before state officials can hold someone in custody. The policy was established that year by then-Gov. Lincoln Chafee.

State Rep. Charlene Lima, a Cranston Democrat, told NewsNation’s “On Balance with Leland Vittert” that if the decision were up to her, local law enforcement would be assisting ICE.

“If I was mayor or governor, I would be mandating law enforcement must help ICE to keep our communities safer,” Lima said. “In fact, there’d be penalties if they didn’t help. That’s what our job is: to protect our community and keep our streets safe.”

She also criticized Sanchez’s rhetoric, disagreeing with his characterization of ICE and saying she wished he had chosen different wording.

“I think that Representative Sanchez is very genuine in his feelings, but he’s very misguided in thinking that he is protecting his community by protecting the criminals,” Lima said. “He’s protecting the wrong people.”

Republican push for censure

The Rhode Island Young Republicans are calling for Sanchez to be censured over his “repeated and reckless remarks.”

“Representative Sanchez’s latest remarks, made in an X rant following the arrest of a self-admitted MS-13 gang member, mark a new low in his ongoing campaign to vilify federal, state, and local law enforcement officials,” Young Republican Chairman Ken Naylor said.

The group said it will be sending a letter to the House Committee on Conduct urging the panel to move forward with censure.

“Representative Sanchez must be held accountable for his rhetoric and censured by the House of Representatives when they return to session in January,” Naylor added. “The House Committee on Conduct needs to send a message that this kind of behavior is inappropriate.”

A spokesperson for House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, has not yet responded to a request for comment about the call for a censure resolution.

July 13 ICE arrest

The incident that prompted Sanchez’s comments involved ICE agents arresting Ivan Rene Mendoza Meza, 27, outside a home on Alverson Avenue on Sunday, July 13. An ICE spokesperson said he is a known and “self admitted” member of the MS-13 gang in his home country of Honduras.

Video of the arrest showed Providence police officers present at the scene, which drew accusations from some — including state Rep. David Morales — that local police had assisted ICE. Morales demanded the department immediately “end all collaboration” with federal immigration enforcement.

‘Forced apart’: Family-run Providence restaurant shaken by manager’s ICE arrest

Providence’s police chief, Col. Oscar Perez, pushed back, saying the officers had only responded because of a crash involving an unmarked ICE vehicle. Perez added that Mendoza Meza voluntarily surrendered to federal agents.

“Providence police officers did not participate in or assist with any enforcement actions carried out by us. Our role in this situation was strictly limited to ensure the well-being of everyone present,” Perez said. “We do not enforce federal immigration law, nor do we collaborate with ICE in its operations.”

City Council review request

Despite Perez’s clarification, 10 members of the Providence City Council called on the Providence External Review Authority — a civilian oversight board that looks into allegations of police misconduct — to investigate.

A letter addressed to Perez and Mayor Brett Smiley calls for clarity and accountability from the Providence Police Department, stating even the presence of local police near ICE agents “has deeply disturbed the community.”

“When officers are seen intermingled with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a detention, residents deserve a clear explanation of what happened and why,” the letter read.